How Long to Incubate Duck Eggs From Home?

Ducks can successfully be hatched in an incubator with correct care. (ducks image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com)

Many people choose to place eggs laid by ducks into an incubator for hatching. The amount of time and thetemperature in the incubator are crucial to success.

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Time and Temperature

Up until 25 days of age, duck eggs must be kept in an incubator at a temperature of 37.5 degrees C and "turned 3, 5 or 7 times per day," according to Duckeggs.com. Turning the eggs an odd number of times is recommended.

After 25 days and up until the 28th day, all viable eggs should hatch. Change the temperature to 36.9 degrees C on the 25th day and do not turn the eggs.

Moisture

Duck eggs differ from chicken eggs in that they require more moisture, starting out at a humidity of 86 per cent until the eggs are 25 days old. On the 25th day, increase the humidity to 94 per cent.

Hatching

No guarantee exisst that all eggs in an incubator will hatch. In fact, a hatching rate of 70 per cent is considered a success by most distributors.